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Iran continuing in path of policies and programs: FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, March 6, IRNA
Iran-FM-NHK
Iran will continue its policies and programs, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here Sunday.

Mottaki made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Japan's national broadcaster NHK.

"Suspension (of uranium enrichment) has been a voluntary measure.

Today, we are acting fully mindful of our nuclear undertakings.

"There is no room for illegal demands. We have been a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) since 1970 and are committed to our promises," he said.

He added that in previous talks with the three European states (Germany, France and Britain), they agreed to Iran's request for small-scale enrichment.

"They (the EU trio) should not renege on their agreement. We believe it is our duty to heed concerns while theirs is to pay attention to our demands. Finding a link between these two demands will be the best solution."
Asked about Russia's proposal to Iran for joint uranium enrichment in Russian soil, the minister said: "Russia insists on enrichment inside its soil. We call for implementation of the proposal for a short period."
"The elements of this equation should be balanced. Russia calls on Iran to show flexibility at to place of enrichment just as we call on Russia to be flexible as to the period of implementation," Mottaki stessed.

He said that with the flexibility it has shown on Russia's demand, it is possible the two sides can reach an understanding and compromise. We are determined to move forward, not backward.

"To us, enrichment on laboratory scale should be preserved.

Industrial-scale enrichment of uranium will be the next important step which we can reach an agreement upon."
In response to a question on the possibility of a final agreement between Iran and Russia, he said: "This agreement should be the answer to the concerns of all sides. Enrichment on a laboratory scale is just that -- at the laboratory level."
Mottaki said "research and development, which is what Iran is conducting now, are not the issues in these talks. We are ready to hold talks on commercial-scale enrichment."
Shifting to Mottaki's assessment of the 11-page report of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear program, the minister added: "We are currently studying the report precisely and will officially announce our stance in the near future."
"According to my overall view of the report, it has not pointed to any diversion by Iran of its peaceful goals."
Asked about the possibility of the UN Security Council's involvement in Iran's nuclear case in the near future if Tehran insists on enrichment inside its own territory, the minister said:
"We differentiate laboratory-scale production and full-scale enrichment."
Mottaki added:
"We believe the SC should not be used as a tool in the hands of privileged countries to impose pressure on independent states to achieve political goals.

"We strive to prevent referral of Iran's case to the council and will be in contact with other member states of the IAEA Board of Governors.

"Among the two options, that is, fulfilling the Iranian nation's right and referral of nuclear case to the UNSC, we will choose the first option.

"We will not close the door to talks but will be in contact with all states. Disregard of Iran's right to access nuclear knowhow is our red line. We are determined to enjoy nuclear technology.

"It is unlikely the US will cause another crisis for itself in our region which will not be beneficial for the US nation itself which is already a victim of the Bush administration in various crises in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East."
Mottaki, moreover, said tht "after four years, UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan said instability was still the main problem in Afghanistan. This means no work has been done in the country during this four-year period."
He added:
"After three months of Iraq occupation, US President George W Bush said the war was finished. Weapons of mass destruction have been announced as factors behind the Iraq occupation.

"Today, it is clear that Bush has said a big lie to the American public by saying that Iran seeks atomic weapons. This is while we have repeatedly announced that we are not after nuclear weapons based on our principles and religious values and that such weapons have no room in Iran's defense doctrine."
"We had broad cooperation with the IAEA and gave our replies to several questions. Over 90 percent of the questions have been answered and the remaining technical questions will be answered through cooperation.

"We stress that the era of threats, unilateralism and unilateral decisions have passed. US experiences in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf have showed such policies will not be effective anymore.

"We believe international public opinion should hear these realities. We launched a dialogue with nations and governments which we hope they will listen to."
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